Coyle hails fortress Reebok

Owen Coyle has hailed Bolton's ability to turn the Reebok Stadium into a fortress after the Trotters trounced Premier League relegation rivals Wigan 4-0 on Saturday.

Johan Elmander, Kevin Davies, Fabrice Muamba and Matty Taylor grabbed the goals in the Lancashire derby to lift the Whites up to 13th in the table, eight points clear of the drop-zone.

The win, Bolton's third in four games, saw the Trotters extend their impressive home run to one defeat in their last eight while no team has been able to score in the hosts' net in the last four outings on the Whites' turf.

And Coyle, who left struggling Burnley to take the Wanderers helm in January, lauded his side's ability to continue their stellar spell in front of the home fans.

"We have been in terrific form of late and I was disappointed with the defeat the other night (against Sunderland) but we're trying to build a fortress here at the Reebok and it was shown to be the case today - it was a terrific performance," said Coyle.

Worthy winners

Saturday's win was emphatic, but Wigan boss Roberto Martinez argued his side should have had a penalty when the score was goalless, but Coyle insists his side deserved a slice of luck if his Latics counterpart was correct.

"I can't say whether it was or wasn't," said the Bolton boss on whether Wigan should have been awarded a spot-kick for Zat Knight's challenge on Hugo Rodallega in the opening exchanges of the match.

"But we've been on the wrong end of some terrible decisions but anybody looking at today's game there's no doubt that Bolton were worthy winners over the course of the game."

Terrific

Coyle was asked if he feared Muamba would incur an automatic suspension when he vigorously celebrated his long-awaited maiden goal for Bolton, but the Trotters tactician admitted he was concerned with the midfielder's health more than anything.

"I was more worried that he would pick up an injury because when I saw him run towards me, I thought - 'surely he's not going to jump on top me?' but I managed to hold him.

"I've been encouraging him to get forward because he's a terrific young player and I believe he has got a fantastic career ahead of him.

It's nice that he's got his first goal for the club on the back of Zat Knight and Jack Wilshere (getting their first goals in recent weeks) so that's all pluses."

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